Vocal Cord Paralysis

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What is vocal cord paralysis? What are the signs and symptoms of vocal cord paralysis? How is vocal cord paralysis diagnosed? What treatments are available for vocal cord paralysis? What other organizations have information about vocal cord paralysis? What causes vocal cord paralysis? How common is vocal cord paralysis? How effective are treatments for vocal cord paralysis? What do SLPs do when working with individuals with vocal cord paralysis?

What is vocal cord paralysis?

Everyone has two vocal cords in his or her larynx (voicebox). The vocal cords vibrate during speech to produce voice. If one or both vocal cords are unable to move then the person will experience voice problems and possibly breathing and swallowing problems. This is vocal cord paralysis. There are different types of vocal cord paralysis. Bilateral vocal cord paralysis involves both vocal cords becoming stuck halfway between open and closed (the paramedian position) and not moving either way. This condition often requires a tracheotomy (an opening made in the neck to provide an airway) to protect the airway when the person eats. Unilateral vocal cord paralysis is when only one side is paralyzed in the paramedian position or has a very limited movement. It is more common than bilateral involvement. The paralyzed vocal cord does not move to vibrate with the other cord but vibrates abnormally or does not vibrate at all. The individual will run out of air easily. They will be unable to speak clearly or loudly.

What are the signs and symptoms of vocal cord paralysis?

The severity of voice and swallowing problems depends on where the nerve damage occurs. Typical symptoms include:

hoarseness breathy voice inability to speak loudly limited pitch and loudness variations voicing that lasts only for a very short time (around 1 second) choking or coughing while eating possible pneumonia due to food and liquid being aspirated into the lungs (the vocal cords cannot close adequately to protect the airway while swallowing)

How is vocal cord paralysis diagnosed?

The vocal cords can be examined by using an endoscope that is inserted through the nose or mouth. An endoscope has a light that the examiner uses to view the cords and movement patterns during

phonation (producing sound) and at rest. Typically a complete voice evaluation is conducted by a speech-language pathologist (SLP) and otolaryngologist (ear, nose, and throat doctor).

What treatments are available for vocal cord paralysis?

Bilateral paralysis is often medically treated and may require a tracheotomy to allow the person to eat safely. Surgery may be considered to bring one or both vocal cords closer to midline. Unilateral paralysis can be treated medically and/or behaviorally. Medical treatment includes musclenerve transplant, medialization thyroplasty (moving the paralyzed vocal cord toward midline), or injection of a substance to increase the size of the paralyzed vocal cord. Behavioral treatment includes voice therapy by an SLP. It may be the only treatment required for the individual. The individual will work with the SLP on pitch alteration, increasing breath support and loudness, and finding the correct position for optimal voicing (such as turning the head to one side or manipulating the thyroid cartilage). Research has shown that voice therapy is an effective intervention in the interim period between diagnosis of the paralysis and final resolution of the problem.

What other organizations have information about vocal cord paralysis?

This list is not exhaustive, and inclusion does not imply endorsement of the organization or the content of the Web site by ASHA.

Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Cancer Vocal Cord Paralysis information View video examples of vocal cord paralysis National Jewish Medical and Research Center: Information on vocal cord dysfunction

What causes vocal cord paralysis?

Vocal cord paralysis is caused by head and neck injuries, tumors, disease, surgery, or stroke. The vagus nerve has branches that run from the brainstem to the larynx (voicebox) and controls the movement of the vocal cords. Damage to the vagus nerve is the specific cause of vocal cord paralysis.

How common is vocal cord paralysis?

ASHA has prepared a report, Incidence and Prevalence of Speech, Voice, and Language Disorders in Adults in the United States that includes information about how many people experience voice disorders.

How effective are treatments for vocal cord paralysis?

ASHA has written a treatment efficacy summary on voice disorders[PDF] that describes evidence about how well treatment works. This summary is useful not only to individuals with voice disorders and their caregivers but also to insurance companies considering payment for much needed services for voice disorders.

What do SLPs do when working with individuals with vocal cord paralysis?
The Preferred Practice Patterns for the Profession of Speech-Language Pathology outline the common practices followed by SLPs when engaging in various aspects of the profession. The Preferred Practice Patterns for voice assessment and intervention are outlined in sections 34 and 35.

Cedera selama operasi : bedah di leher ( pembedahan kelenjar tiroid, arteri karotis) Operasi di dada ( operasi paru-paru, esophagus, jantung, dan pembuluh darah besar) Komplikasi dari endotracheal intubation : cedera pada nervus recurrent laryngeal, Injury to the

RLN may occur when breathing tubes are used for general anesthesia and/or assisted breathing (artificial ventilation). However, this type of injury is rare, given the large number of operations done under general anesthesia. Blunt neck atau trauma dada : Setiap jenis benturan keras pada leher atau dada dapat melukai RLN itu, dampak ke leher dapat melukai SLN.

Tumor pada basis cranii, leher, dan dada: Tumor (baik kanker dan non-kanker) dapat tumbuh di sekitar saraf dan menekan mereka, sehingga menimbulkan paresa

Infeksi virus: Peradangan dari infeksi virus dapat langsung melibatkan dan melukai nervus vagus atau cabang-cabang saraf (RLN dan SLN).